Monthly Archives: May 2013

A member from NHEMC introduces kids to a few unusual critters during the summer reading program last year.

Puppet shows, wild animals, games, experiments and more await kids and teens who participate in the White County Public Library’s summer reading programs.
Cathy Farley, library executive director, says she’s looking forward to kicking off the summer reading programs.
“It’s all going to be so much fun,” she said. “We look forward to this all year. We start planning for next year’s in August.”
The children’s summer reading program, entitled Dig into Reading, will feature nine weeks of fun learning.
The first four weeks of the children’s program will be … Read More

David E. Swindell, 46, of Spencer, passed from this life, on May 29, 2013, at his residence, of an extended illness.
Mr. Swindell was born June 10, 1966, in McMinnville, the son of Henry Earl Swindell and the late Joy C. Cope Swindell.
He had been a factor worker and was a member of Bethlehem Church of Christ, of Spencer.
Survivors include his wife of 13 years, Pearlene Shockley Swindell, of Spencer; daughter and husband, Mica E. and Colt Jackson, of Cookeville; two sons, Derek K. Swindell, of Spencer, Jason L. Hutchings, of Sparta; sister, Leslie C. Riggs, of Spencer; brother, Terry Keith Swindell, … Read More

A former Sparta resident who has been under investigation since last year for alleged sexual crimes against children has now been officially charged.
According to Public Information Officer Chris Isom of the White County Sherriff Department, the department received information last year that Jeffery Wayne Watts, age 36, now of Bloomington Springs, Tenn., had allegedly sexually assaulted three juvenile boys over a period of many years while he lived in Sparta.
Department of Children’s Services and Child Advocacy Center, along with White County Sheriff Department, conducted investigations and interviewed the victims, whose ages vary, to corroborate their information about the incidents.
Det. Isom arrested Watts … Read More

Deborah Diane Lowery Hogan, 58, of Akron, Ohio, formerly of Sparta, passed away May 25, 2013, in Akron.
Mrs. Hogan was born June 3, 1954, in Sparta, Tenn.
She worked at Ridgewood Nursing Home for 25 years. She was the union president of the Certified Nursing Assistant Association.
Mrs. Hogan was preceded in death by her brother, Samuel Lee “Boo Boo” Chaney Jr.; sister-in-law, August Lowery; and nephew, Curron Lowery.
Survivors include husband, Douglas Hogan; mother and father, Margie and Sam Chaney; brother, Willard “Tube” Lowery; sister, Maxine Chaney; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m., … Read More

Edward L. Robinson, 83, passed away May 28, 2013, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
A child of the Great Depression, Mr. Robinson graduated from White County High School and was married January 25, 1952. As a Korean War veteran, he served in the U.S Navy, 1950-1954.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lula Robinson, and one brother, Freddy T. Robinson.
Edward is survived by his wife, Alene Seals Robinson, of Sparta, Bruce Robinson and wife Lisa Morris Robinson, of Raleigh, NC, Penny Robinson Brock and husband Bobby Brock of Spencer, a grandson, Alec Robinson, of Raleigh, NC, and a grandson, Brendan … Read More

Ruby W. Graham, who was convicted in the White County Circuit Court for an incident that occurred April 3, 2009 in which a TBI agent allegedly discovered hundreds of pills and marijuana in her possession, filed an appeal with the state Court of Criminal Appeals, and on May 28, was denied her request for a new trial and reduced fine.
According to the appeal, on April 3, 2009, TBI Special Agent Danny Espinosa and other officers executed a search warrant at Graham’s residence. When the officers arrived, Espinosa says he noticed a video surveillance camera hanging near the doorway.
Espinosa continued that Graham, who was in a wheelchair … Read More

Amye AndersonStaff writeramye@myspartanews.com
The numbers are in and White County saw a slight improvement in its unemployment numbers for the month of April.
The county’s unemployment rate stands at 11.3 percent — a 0.5 percent drop from 11.8 percent in March.
That information comes from the latest labor force estimates released by the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Of the county’s estimated workforce of 10,940 people, an estimated 9,700 are employed.
“We’re doing everything to get employment here in the county,” said White County Executive Herd Sullivan. “It’s an uphill battle.”
This time last year, the unemployment rate was at 10.9 percent — with … Read More

Jacob Davis Billings, 14, of Smithville, passed away May 26, 2013, at DeKalb Community Hospital.
Jacob had just graduated from the eighth grade at DeKalb West School, in Smithville. He played football with the DeKalb Middle School Saints and had made the DeKalb County High School Tiger football team.
Jacob was preceded in death by his grandfather, Ammon Billings Jr.
Survivors include his parents, Trey and Heather Billings, of Smithville; two sisters, Jessica Billings, Tori Billings, both of Smithville; maternal grandparents, Eugene and Linda Waggoner, of Alexandria; paternal grandmother, Teresa Billings, of Smithville; maternal great-grandmother, Delores Murphy, of Liberty; aunts and uncles, Tonya and Kevin Roberts, of Alexandria, … Read More

Top five. Despite being a senior, Lacy Yslas still has one year of eligibility remaining in track and field at Tennessee Tech. She has marks in the top five all-time in two different events. (Photo courtesy of TTU Sports Information)

For most of her years growing up, Lacy Yslas had always envisioned herself possibly playing basketball at the college level.
Upon completion of her high school days at White County High School in the spring of 2009, Yslas did head off to college to compete in sports except it wasn’t on a basketball court.
Yslas took up track during her junior year of high school. Little did she … Read More

Taking off in final race. Morgan Voyles takes off after the starter’s pistol sounds in the second heat of the 800-meter preliminaries in the TSSAA BlueCross Spring Fling. Voyles just missed out on qualifying for the finals by .61 seconds.

Morgan Voyles ran her final race as a White County High School athlete Wednesday.
Her final race just happened to be in the TSSAA BlueCross Spring Fling in the state meet, her eighth appearance in the state.
That eighth appearance set a record that will be hard to surpass by any future WCHS student athlete.
Voyles began her final state appearance in the second heat of the preliminaries … Read More

On Sun., May 25, officers with the White County Sheriff Department responded to a scene at a home on Armstrong Road, in Doyle, in which a woman was reportedly shot, and within a minute of their arrival, the officers reportedly heard a second shot ring out.
According to Detective Chris Isom, Sgt. Lanny Wheeler received the call at approximately 9:30 a.m.
When Sgt. Wheeler, along with Deputies Donnie Qualls and Jeff Vandagriff, arrived, Det. Isom says they saw a woman, who has been identified as Wilma Rogers, sitting outside the home in a chair, with an obvious gunshot wound to the chest area.
Isom states that Rogers reportedly … Read More

Jesse Welch, junior at TTU, was recently awarded a scholarship from the Tennessee Grocer’s and Convenience Store Association.

One local student recently received scholarship money from the Tennessee Grocer’s and Convenience Store Association.
Jesse Welch, a three-year employee of Floyd’s Cash Saver grocery store, was awarded the $1,200 TGCSA Scholarship Award.
“I won the scholarship through my job at Floyd’s here in Sparta,” he told the Expositor.
“I won it my freshman year college — I’m not exactly sure if it’s the same scholarship,” he said. “The Tennessee Grocer’s Association gives out quite a few. But, I was awarded a scholarship from them my freshman year and then … Read More

Numerous organizations and churches in the Sparta area are assisting with aid to the victims of the recent Oklahoma tornadoes. Find out below how to help.

One week after a deadly EF-5 tornado tore through parts of Oklahoma, folks across the nation are finding ways to pitch in and help victims to get back on their feet. Local organizations are pitching in and doing what they can to aid storm victims.
Life Care Center of Sparta has announced its office will serve as a drop-off center and will be collecting bottled water and bottled sports drinks, personal hygiene items, and diapers until next Friday.
From there, the donated … Read More

Paul Steele was drafted, in 1968, to travel overseas to a foreign country to fight a battle that was taking the lives of American soldiers by the thousands. Steele, who served in Vietnam, came back home a changed man and thereafter dedicated his life to educating the children of White County.

At the age of 22, Paul Steele found himself in the jungles of Vietnam, serving his country in one of the bloodiest battles of America’s history.
Steele was in college when tensions in Vietnam escalated.
“The draft board would grant college students a deferment based upon successful completion … Read More

James Norris, a volunteer at the Sparta-White County Senior Center, stands among some of the beautiful paintings hanging inside the center’s art room.

James Norris will tell you he doesn’t mind to help out others. In fact, he’ll do what ever he can to help someone in need.
At 71, Norris volunteers for the Sparta-White County Senior Center; delivering meals and helping the center and the local senior community in anyway he can.
After a long career of factory work, Norris, who is originally from Cumberland County, retired and moved to White County.
“I moved to DeRossett first and then I move on down here,” he said. “I’m … Read More